Gmail: IMAP or Offline?

jrafter · 2 Mar 2009, 03:54 AM

I have been using Gmail IMAP since shortly after it was made available, and with the new Labs: Advanced IMAP Controls, I find it to be a flexible, fast, and reliable IMAP implementation.

I have recently been experimenting with Gmail Offline, and it works as advertised (for me, anyway), and appears to be faster than IMAP at downloading and syncing.

Using Gmail with both IMAP and Offline seems to be redundant, so which protocol do you prefer?

theog · 2 Mar 2009, 08:29 AM

I use a lot of different devices so I'd have to stick with imap... although offline might be promising on a main desktop/laptop....

chrisretusn · 2 Mar 2009, 08:59 AM

I really don't have much use for Gmail Offline. I rarely use Gmail's web interface. I do use IMAP on occasion but it not the primary means of accessing my mail. My primary method is via POP3.

FMRocks · 7 Mar 2009, 08:40 AM

I used to use Thunderbird for a long time, but little by little, I have moved onto online web based email, and Gmail is as close as it comes to a perfect solution for that particular issue. I use Offline and it works well. As far as multiple machines - in my situation, I have one main machine, and for the rest, I can simply use Gmail online, without enabling Offline in those computers. I find Offline to be a very useful application. I don't have to work with two interfaces, just one, and everything syncs extremely well and seamlessly.

Aimlink · 7 Mar 2009, 11:06 AM

I currently use neither of the two. I used to use IMAP but have found myself now using the web interface exclusively.

I did try the offline feature but had problems with FireFox where my GMail would be stuck in the offline mode. I didn't feel in need of the feature enough to troubleshoot it. I simply disabled it.

View Poll Results: Gmail: IMAP or Offline?
IMAP	4	40.00%
Offline	2	20.00%
Both	2	20.00%
Neither	2	20.00%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 10. You may not vote on this poll

2 Mar 2009, 03:54 AM	#1
jrafter Essential Contributor Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: USA Posts: 363	Gmail: IMAP or Offline? I have been using Gmail IMAP since shortly after it was made available, and with the new Labs: Advanced IMAP Controls, I find it to be a flexible, fast, and reliable IMAP implementation. I have recently been experimenting with Gmail Offline, and it works as advertised (for me, anyway), and appears to be faster than IMAP at downloading and syncing. Using Gmail with both IMAP and Offline seems to be redundant, so which protocol do you prefer?

2 Mar 2009, 08:29 AM	#2
theog = Permanently banned = Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: 1 Microsoft Way Posts: 2,119	I use a lot of different devices so I'd have to stick with imap... although offline might be promising on a main desktop/laptop....

2 Mar 2009, 08:59 AM	#3
chrisretusn Cornerstone of the Community Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Philippines Posts: 846	I really don't have much use for Gmail Offline. I rarely use Gmail's web interface. I do use IMAP on occasion but it not the primary means of accessing my mail. My primary method is via POP3.

7 Mar 2009, 08:40 AM	#4
FMRocks The "e" in e-mail Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: FM does NOT refer to Fastmail (anymore). Posts: 4,034	I used to use Thunderbird for a long time, but little by little, I have moved onto online web based email, and Gmail is as close as it comes to a perfect solution for that particular issue. I use Offline and it works well. As far as multiple machines - in my situation, I have one main machine, and for the rest, I can simply use Gmail online, without enabling Offline in those computers. I find Offline to be a very useful application. I don't have to work with two interfaces, just one, and everything syncs extremely well and seamlessly.

7 Mar 2009, 11:06 AM	#5
Aimlink Master of the @ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Here and Now... Posts: 1,078	I currently use neither of the two. I used to use IMAP but have found myself now using the web interface exclusively. I did try the offline feature but had problems with FireFox where my GMail would be stuck in the offline mode. I didn't feel in need of the feature enough to troubleshoot it. I simply disabled it.